London Underground cleaners stage two-day strike

London Underground cleaners have begun a two-day strike in protest at being paid below the capital's living wage.

The staff cleaners are also paid well below the rate offered to agency cleaners brought in as cover for the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day action.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union issued a message appealing to agency workers not to break its members' strike which was posted in English, Polish and Russian. The RMT said its members, on £8.30 an hour rather than the £8.55 an hour estimated as the London living wage, should be on £12.50 an hour.

A leaflet distributed at stations by the striking workers explained their action: "We will not tolerate low pay in this day and age, nor being treated like second-rate people.

3. That may be the exchange rate

But it doesn't reflect the cost of living - for example my daughter pays about £750 a month to share a flat in London. Apprx £1200 per month less taxes less rent does not leave a lot left over - it's called a 'living wage' because anyhting less and you won't be able to afford food and essentials. On the plus side health care is free.